Responding to a request to participate in the half term STEM event, a range of society members spent three days at the museum. Engaging the youngsters with constructing straw rockets, investigating the Solar System and exploring a collection of space rocks, their inquisitive minds were kept active. Together with a book stall and free magazine recycling, it it hoped that we enriched the visitors to the event. Positive feedback seemed to indicate a worthwhile contribution. February 2025

A conflict of disappointment and anticipation greeted almost 50 stargazers in various guises to the monthly gathering at Rodington VH. Disappointment at the skies being cloudy, murky and damp, yet again, meaning that the telescopes remained undercover gathering more dust, yet anticipation at looking forward to the cloudy alternative. A member who practises the dark art of astro-photography, shared his impressive collection of images. The amazing thing was the lack of sophisticated equipment, replaced by a smart phone, DLSR camera, basic tripods and a large amount of enthusiasm. The key message of the evening emerged as the more ‘pics’ you take the higher the probability of capturing that special one. February 2025

We at the SAS conclude National Astronomy Week with a cloud infested gathering. Full of enthusiasm and expectation a dozen stargazers braved the elements with optimism and expectation. All wrapped up and nothing to see we spent time chatting and exploring the virtues of using binoculars. One member brought a selection of his library for us to recycle while surplus instruments found new homes with a range of young stargazers. February 2025

The focus for this half-terms astronomy club was space rocks. Regular visitors from Shropshire AS, brought along a wide variety of rocks and meteorites. With samples originating from from Mars and other Solar System objects, some up to 4.5 billion years old, inspired the budding young scientists into asking lots of questions. Complementing the space rocks a range of terrestrial samples attracted equal attention especially the gem stones, and polished fossils. January 2025

Accepting an invite to spend an evening inspiring future 'stargazers', four hardy committee members turned out to be greeted by a hall full of wide eyed pupils, with their parents in tow. A noisy and enthusiastic evening followed with table top activities interspersed with presentations and demonstrations. Throw in a range of space related refreshments and a 'design a rocket' competition and the room was full of smiles. Nyx, the goddess of night, was not kind to us, it was only the late departees that caught a glimpse of Jupiter and Mars. January 22025

A keen party of SAS outreach providers visited the Shawbury Air Scouts base to be met by an accommodating and friendly group of eager stargazers. All aiming to work towards their new Space Award, the evening was filled with a variety of activities including; presentations, Q&A, and the obligatory observing session. and yes we did manage to view Jupiter and Mars through a telescope. We also managed to identify a wide range of constellations and asterisms that we have previously met. The evening finished with the opportunity to handle and discuss a range of space rocks. January 2025

The first meeting of the year saw 4 dozen eager stargazers gather at the home of the SAS for its first meeting of the year. Looking forward to catching a glimpse of the planets through a telescope, efforts were thwarted by the heavy cloud. However bookending tea and cakes was a presentation exploring which telescope is best for 'me'. Everyone agreed that the best advise was to 'try before you buy'. Lots of discussion followed as visitors perused the astro-jumble and book stalls. We will try again early next month as we participate in National Astronomy Week. January 2025

The clear cold weather of the first week of the year dictated lots of warm layers as a handful of intrepid stargazers ventured to Little Ness Village Hall. Only to be greeted with the obligatory cloud cover, associated with all SAS events, we chatted and drank warm insipid tea. After an hour or so or dreaming of what might have been, we dispersed into the murk to live another day. January 2025

Following a hectic summer social ‘event’, the diary has been overflowing for SAS members. August offered the opportunity for a group meteor watch which was clouded out, again. However the autumn looked promising starting with a live stargazing event in September, but all we managed was a lot of cloud watching. Throughout the autumn, members stood in and gave talks on the Artemis Mission as well as an insight to the Celestial Sphere before the year ended with the anticipated AGM. Members were encouraged with the offering of Christmas nibbles and a quiz. It was pleasing to see individual members making the most of sporadic clear skies especial John who ‘won’ the image of the year competition. December 2024

It was a pleasure to host an evening with Bonnie Huval, former Space Shuttle/Spacelab (NASA) engineer. After several years since her last visit, the two dozen or so members, and guests, were treated to an informative and entertaining presentation on the role she performed over various NASA programme’s. Her talk, titled ‘Upside Down and Sideways’ addressed a wide range of issues by applying unusual perspectives. If someone opens the door for you then walk through it! May 2024